Lapu-Lapu’s annual fluvial parade to be held Nov. 12

CEBU, Philippines - The annual fluvial procession in Lapu-Lapu City, held in honor of patron the Virgin of the Rule, will be held on November 12.

 City Tourism Commission chairman Damian Gomez Jr. said preparations are being made for the affair next week.

The procession will start at 7:00 a.m. from the Pacific Cebu Resort wharf at Suba-Basbas and will culminate at Muelle Osmeña at around 9:00 after covering a distance of almost three fourths of the coastal line of Mactan Island.

Initiated by the Lapu-Lapu City Tourism Commission, the fluvial procession has since gained cooperation from the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippne Coast Guard Auxilliary, Philippine Air Force, Philippine Navy, Pacific Cebu Resort, Inc.Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation, City Health Office, LARSEN, NERVE Center, Lapu-Lapu City Police Office, City Traffic Management System, PumpBoat operators, Jet Ski’s Operators, Catholic Religious Groups, the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart(MSC) and the Metro Ferry Corporation.

Lapu-Lapu City Tourism Commissioner Donatilla “Naty” H. Amores leads the fluvial committee.

 Following the 5:30 a.m. mass that will be held at the Marigondon Parish Church, the icon will be brought by motorcade to the Pacific Cebu Resort where it will be boarded on a yacht offered by Lee Joseph Gonzales.

Flowers will be donated by an anonymous Marian devotee.

While the procession is in progress, a Philippine Air Force chopper will drop petals.

The chopper will make two more drops while the yacht carrying the icon is in the vicinity of Marcelo Fernan Bridge and at the Muelle Osmeña.

The best decorated and most symbolic pump boats (outrigger vessels) will win prizes.

The tourism commission will announce the composition of this year’s board of judges for the contest at a later date.

The M/B Birhen sa Regla, the city-owned sea ambulance, will be available to medical groups while the Boyla pump boat will accommodate members of the media who wish to cover the event.

Boarding passes can be procured at the Lapu-Lapu City Tourism Office. (FREEMAN)